Comedy of errors leads to ‘egomaniacal ambush’ at airport

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Wednesday, September 12. 2012

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In a potent political drama that played out over four days, the chairman of the Barrow County Airport Authority on Monday publicly called out the chairman of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners for leading an “egomaniacal ambush” at the airport last week.
Under the mistaken impression that an unauthorized company was about to clear cut all of the trees from the entire airport property, BOC Chairman Danny Yearwood and three associates went to the airport on Sept. 6 and stopped an Army National Guard contractor in its tracks.
But the stopped work didn’t end the dispute, which was fueled by rampant misunderstandings over planned harvesting of trees for safety and security reasons.
The incident proved to be a tipping point for Scott Miller, a businessman in the unpaid chairman’s post. At Monday’s called meeting of the authority, he pulled no punches in detailing what occurred Sept. 6.
Reading from a statement, he said the airport staff and the National Guard liaison on that day were targets of “an absolutely absurd, politically motivated, egomaniacal ambush led by our County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood, incoming District 2 commissioner Kenny Shook, Chairman Yearwood’s airport authority appointee Scott Hang, and former airport authority chairman Frank Nocera.”
For the full story, see the Sept. 12 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Old Pilot on 09/12/12 at 11:13 AM [Reply]

The continuing soap opera saga of "Barrow County Airport". This is better than "General Hospital."

#2 Phil on 09/12/12 at 01:41 PM [Reply]

Give the whole damn place to the National Guard and do away with the private part of the airport. I dare you to put that on the next ballet and let’s see who wants what. The whole airport and its authority is a joke. It is an embarrassment for us tax payers. I have to work every day to pay taxes so rich people can have a place to play. I for one am tired of any tax money being spent on that horrible airport.

#2.1 Hmmm on 09/12/12 at 01:58 PM [Reply]

Don't you know they have Only one paying tenant and they keep trying to run them off...

The Guard is suppose to bring all kinds of commerce to the "Non Commercial Private Playground (sorry airport)" if their funding request goes through.

Why, I even heard they had all kinds of words over that new business that could not state the legend of the Pork Barrel Spend it all Senator (Sen. Richard Russell) that milked the Fed for his own Private airport - See "Updated: SINN-CLARK: Winder needs new leadership for downtown
Posted by
Lorin Sinn-Clark
in Column Archives
Saturday, September 8. 2012 "

Best money maker (for the County lawyers) Barrow ever landed...

How's that working for you Barrow?

#2.2 Reality on 09/13/12 at 05:53 AM [Reply]

I wonder Phil, do you own a boat? Do you know that boats cost more to purchase, maintain, and operate than 75% of the privately owned aircraft? In fact, less than 10% of all motor vehicles cost more than what I paid for my Cesna (which is kept at an airport that is privately owned). If you really want to know, my Cesna cost me $14,000 to purchase. I have had it for 10 years. It cost me less that $2,500 a year for inspections and maintainance. My major expense is my fuel.

How much do you spend on your boat? What about your automobile?

Before you go running off at the mouth about flying being a "Rich Man's" hobby, you need to look at the demographics. Most private pilots make less than $60,000 a year. We do it because we love it. The same reason why most people fish and hunt.

The best thing to do to the Barrow County Airport is to remove the government and privatize it.

#2.2.1 Phil on 09/13/12 at 07:51 AM [Reply]

I don't care what you own. Your boat don't cost the tax payers money. The airport costs tax payers of Barrow County and if they can't run it properly then it should be taken away. You can own whatever you want,I don't care,but when it costs me money then I CARE!!!

#2.2.1.1 Reality on 09/13/12 at 08:06 AM [Reply]

Do you take your boat out on Lake Lanier?
If you do, my taxes do pay to maintain the lake. The same for Oconee, Hartwell, and Burton.

#2.2.1.1.1 Phil on 09/13/12 at 08:25 AM [Reply]

I don't own a boat, plane or sportscar. Give us back my tax money your play toy cost all tax payers and you can park your plane in your back yard as far as I care.

#2.2.1.1.1.1 Reality on 09/13/12 at 08:56 AM [Reply]

I pay the same amount of tax dollars as you do when it comes to financing the opperations of the airport. I pay extra when I decide to land at the airport, because there is a fee for that. Before you go running off saying how only you and those who don't utilize the airport are having to pay for it all, you need to remove your head from you void surrounded by the spincter muscle and realize, you're not the only one who pays the taxes.

Believe it or not, we all pay taxes on alot of things that we don't utilize. For example, my tax dollars pay for the welfare checks, free healthcare, government schools, and MARTA. I don't utilize any of those.....and guess what, a portion of my annual registration fees for my aircraft pays for Government Schools and the roadways. Why don't you try explaining why my airplane should help fun government schools?

#2.2.1.1.1.1.1 Phil on 09/13/12 at 09:03 AM [Reply]

Bless your heart. I conceed! You and your toy needs far more attention from the tax payers dollars than the roads, water, gas and other things that might draw a real job to Barrow County.

#2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1 Reality on 09/13/12 at 09:18 AM [Reply]

Here's the break down on the taxes. A portion of the Property taxes, vehicle advolorem taxes, aircraft advolorem taxes, and state income tax we all pay go to the roads, schools, welfare, and healthcare.

Only a small portion (about 1.5%) of Property taxes are used to cover the operation cost of a government owned airport.

With the Army National Guard being based out of the Barrow County Airport, the local tax base pays a much lower rate than what it would pay without the National Guard being based there.

#2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Phil on 09/13/12 at 09:28 AM [Reply]

Then tell the people who works hard and really struggle to pay that 1.5% that your play toy is money well spent. There are people out here struggling to make ends meet and your toy is not on our list. I would rather feed my family and buy my children clothes than pay for you to have a toy. People like you would never understand what it means to struggle.

#2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Reality on 09/13/12 at 10:11 AM [Reply]

I would much rather have a larger aircraft, but since I have to pay taxes to support local GOVERNMENT Run Schools (which I don't have any children). Since you feel that it should be "fair" for people who don't utilize a service shouldn't have to pay for it.....then give me back all the tax money I spent to provide you a baby sitting service.

#2.2.1.1.1.1.2 Pilot 1 on 09/13/12 at 12:18 PM [Reply]

Uhhh you say you pay a fee when you land at KWDR? What in the world are you thinking? There is no landing fee at Winder. Actually there is no landing fee at any airport around Barrow County except for KATL (Hartsfield). Are you a Pilot or a Taxi driver?

#2.2.1.1.1.1.3 Amy on 09/13/12 at 01:19 PM [Reply]

You arrogant, self-serving, big feeling “fly boy”. Do all of us that are not quite as well off as you a favor. When you arrive at your kingdom door at night at least wipe us peasants off your feet on the door mat. And secondly please pick up the mat and shake us off into your flowers. Then we can at least be manure and help your flowers grow.

The sad thing is all you rich boys with toys all thing the same. I got mine you get yours.

You are a sad individual.

#2.2.1.1.1.2 Old Pilot on 09/13/12 at 09:19 AM [Reply]

Phil, this rich boy (I wish) landed at the airport last night at 11:30, coming back from a trip to Little Rock. I was sitting at my desk this morning at 7 AM. You can't do that on Delta. That airplane is a necessary part of my business.

The airport isn't funded from your taxes. It's funded from those of us who fly from there. I buy gas there at 5.80 a gallon. Gas at Ingles is 3.80. Where does that extra $2 go? Why to fund the airport.

Speaking of taxes, I just got my annual tax bill for the airplane from the tax assessor. I'll bet I pay more in taxes to Barrow County for that airplane than you do for your house and car. Why don't you research your facts before you run your mouth?

#2.2.1.1.1.2.1 Phil on 09/13/12 at 10:50 AM [Reply]

Well said fly boy. Enjoy your sucess.

#3 Phil on 09/12/12 at 02:06 PM [Reply]

It has been run badly for years. It is time the tax payers take there play toy from them. The party is over. Tax payers lets revolt. Mis-management has been going on for too long. Now it is our time (tax payers) to take it back.

#4 Wow! on 09/12/12 at 03:03 PM [Reply]

Go figure Ken Shook, not even on the commission yet, was right there. Great job Barrow; electing another cronie to the board. You'll pay for this one!

#4.1 bob on 09/12/12 at 03:11 PM [Reply]

He is better than the one he replaced and a whole lot better than the one he ran against.

#5 Pilot J on 09/13/12 at 07:34 AM [Reply]

To all that are not Pilots and whom are Pilots. I happen to be a corporate pilot with a Commercial Pilots License and A LOT of hours in the air flying in and outside of the U.S. Please let me state: The problems with the Airport comes from "local Government". The "Commissioner" Barrow County has no clue of what or how an airport is run or how it "could" be used to boost Barrow Counties local Economy. The problems have not always been this way because I have personally seen the airport grow for the most of my life with changes made that are partially due to what the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) required. Barrow County is very blessed to have the current Fixed Based Operator to provide the service for the Airport. I am not affiliated with our FBO at all and I happen to live out of the County now so my vote does not matter when it comes to the Barrow County Airport. To be BLUNT... The whole problem will not be resolved until the current County Chairman (whom I believe lives near the airport) is gone and Frank Nocera is booted out of any activity with Barrow Counties Airport issues being he has proved incapable to over see or understand how an airport of the size is to be run. The current Authority Chairman (whom I don't know personally) seems to have a grasp on Airport Issues and how to attract Corporate traffic. An ILS system has just been installed which will increase Corporate traffic. Things are not as bad as it seems; Its just their happens to be "Kids" involved that have no clue about Aviation!

#6 The Guy on 09/13/12 at 01:14 PM [Reply]

Listen, the trees unfortunately have to go. The FAA has cited them as a safety violation. Regardless of whether you support the airport or not it does not change the fact that those trees have to go. The National Guard isnt going anywhere so even if the civilian portion of the airport were closed down it would not change the violation status. The company that was going to remove them was going to remove the harvestable trees as well as everything else...for free. Zero cost to the taxpayers. What they were getting out of it was the harvestable trees(which less than half are)and had agreed to clear everything else they otherwise would have charged to remove. The commissioner wants to sell the harvestable trees..but then another contract will have to be set up to pay for the removal of the remainder which may cost more than the money you will make by selling the harvested trees.

Everything was so simple....

#6.1 can't assume on 09/14/12 at 04:20 PM [Reply]

That's a lot of assumption. How will we know if that was the best deal if it was not put out for bids?

#7 K.H. on 09/13/12 at 01:32 PM [Reply]

You must not be able to read very clearly. And should check your facts. The airport recieves no monies from the county! However generates over $100,000.00 a year for the county in tax revenue from advelorum taxes on the aircraft.
Which in return the county funds absolutely nothing at the airport. The airport charter plainly states that the BOC has absolutely no power over the airport authority and does not own the airport! So just to be clear no tax dollars go to the asirport! and Danny yearwood has no authority over the airport!

#7.1 tax free Profits on 09/19/12 at 08:00 AM [Reply]

It is fuzzy math that makes them show a profit. They get a tax free break of probably over $100,000 on their $15 MILLION property. So taxpayers are actually giving them $100,000 or more not figured into their so called profit.

#8 Amy on 09/13/12 at 02:11 PM [Reply]

He must have some power they stopped didn't they?

#9 k.h. on 09/13/12 at 04:54 PM [Reply]

Not in any legal way. The BOC has absolutely no power over the situation. I'm sure they only stopped out of pure respect. And it being the adult thing to do until the national guard could get clarification on the matter. The sheriff was already involved and in a situation like that which is a civil matter the deputy normally would ask the parties involved to cease until the sheriff or deputy could get clarification of the law. And being that situation was not something they deal with on a daily basis that would have been the case. If the national guard would have had the necessary paperwork with them than the chairman would have been asked to leave. The national guard probably does not need the permission of the airport authority to cut down trees on guard property but was more of a courtesy. In 2009 the DOT stated the trees were to be cut due to safety.

#10 Amy on 09/13/12 at 05:35 PM [Reply]

If it happens on the private part of the airport then the county does have an interest. The county DOES OWN the private part of the airport and if it has anything to do with the tax payers interest then they do have legal grounds.

#10.1 k.h. on 09/13/12 at 07:54 PM [Reply]

Please define private part of airport? How can BOC have authority over something that is privately owned?

#10.1.1 Pilot J on 09/14/12 at 11:54 AM [Reply]

The Barrow County Airport is not a "Private Airport". The County owns the land and leases the space out to teanets and a Fixed based operator which in turn is run by the Barrow County Airport Authority. Government grants are and have been issued for the Airport for up keep as well. This is standard for any public airport in the State.

#10.1.2 county code on 09/14/12 at 04:25 PM [Reply]

Have you ever read the 600 plus page County Code???

#11 observer on 09/13/12 at 06:30 PM [Reply]

The word "dysfunctional" always seemed to appear before BC Airport Authority. I though we had that fixed.

The BCC chairman never was fit for the office, temperamentally or intellectually.

Shook disappoints me greatly. He should have better sense. He is not yet even in office and did not know squat about the situation. Guess we are stuck with him for a few years. Perhaps he could smarten up and it down, shut up, and learn a few things.

#12 Kenny Shook on 09/13/12 at 07:52 PM [Reply]

Any questions on this matter? Feel free to call me (770)652-1236.

#13 k.h. on 09/13/12 at 08:13 PM [Reply]

According to the barrow county tax assesor the airport property belongs to the airport authority and not the BOC there for they have no authority over what goes on at that location.

#14 Thank You on 09/14/12 at 05:41 AM [Reply]

Thank you Pat Graham for running Danny Yearwood out of office because he was afraid a woman would beat him for BOC chairman.

Thank you Senator Frank Ginn for beating Yearwood in the Senate race so he will no longer have any decision making power after 1/1/13.

#15 Anon on 09/14/12 at 11:31 AM [Reply]

Kenny, it is very noble of you to print your phone number, and put yourself out there for questions. However, the only question I have is this:
Why on earth would you misalign yourself with the likes of Danny Yearwood? He clearly is an embarrassment to Barrow County, even by the lowest standards. Please don't further disappoint your constituents by associating with the likes of him.

#16 Benjamin Bonner on 09/14/12 at 11:47 AM [Reply]

Yes and I am sick and tired of paying taxes to support a school system when I don't have any kids.

#17 Longtime on 09/14/12 at 05:26 PM [Reply]

Give the darn Airport back to the City who used to operate without it for decades any of this Drama.

The current Authority appears to not be able to operate themselves much less the Airport, except to have it renamed twice. This is an embarassment. Danny, sorry you are out buddy, so fade out of this picture ok, you choose to not run.

#18 Jtuggle on 09/17/12 at 05:45 PM [Reply]

I read this and reread it several times. Kenny Shook it is noble of you too post your number. You already stated something on here. Just explain your situation to all of us. Frank Noceara was fired from the Airport Authority. You for one after winning know how voters feel about Yearwood. You are not even in office yet. After 4 years of this, I see Barrow has elected another bad choice. There was no reason for you to be involved. Your concern should be why is the Chairman taking someone to the Airport that was fired from the position. I wish the Airport Authority would issue a TPO on you at this time and one the other two fools. Enough stupidity of our county government. Be a man right now and apologize for your actions and work for the people. For you to even say I will abolish the Airport Authority as well. You must be another Yearwood. I am convinced the only one I trust is Steve Worley is the only one with common scene. Oh and Kenny I live near you in zone 2. Very near you... All I can do now is shake my head and hope you start thinking.

#18.1 Anon on 09/18/12 at 10:39 AM [Reply]

Great point Jtuggle. Notice how quick he was to jump on here and post his phone number, but don't hold your breath waiting for an apology. Something tells me any man that is foolish enough to be seen with Yearwood - isn't the kind of man who either acknowledges when he's wrong or apologizes for his behavior. Barrow Co. Govt. is like a speeding train that has derailed, down into a black hole. I don't think it will ever get back on track.

#19 Jtuggle on 09/19/12 at 05:18 AM [Reply]

Just like I thought. Shook posts his number on here. Looks like a fool and cannot even explain his actions. What a true politician and has not even took office. What a man you are.

#20 tax free Profits on 09/19/12 at 07:50 AM [Reply]

According to the Barrow Co tax site the airport is appraised at about 15 MILLION DOLLARS, but pays ZERO property taxes. For what ever reason they are exempt, that is probably about $100,00.00 the County (taxpayers) do not get and are subsidizing. This is more than the PROFIT of their budget.
I'm sure there are other businesses that could show a PROFIT if they did not have to pay property taxes.

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Comedy of errors leads to ‘egomaniacal ambush’ at airport

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Comedy of errors leads to ‘egomaniacal ambush’ at airport

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